Cornucopia. (February 25, 1876)
Letter 22
CORNUCOPIA.
Its Businessmen and Their Prices.
Cornucopia, Feb. 18.
In my last I left you at the foot of Ella and Main streets of our hopeful town, and now I will resume by commencing on the south side of MAIN STREET, with McAvin & Rodgers’ brewery. One of the partners, McAvin, is constable of our precinct, makes good lager, skillfully serves all papers placed in his hands for service, and also gives a good service of lager from his shop. Next, on the same side, we come to L. I. Hogle’s lumber yard, where lumber can be had for the million. The only fault that can be found with it in that it comes by the way of Elko instead of Winnemucca. Parks is at the yard selling lumber yet, and proposes to stay there. Next we come to the saloon of said L. I. Hogle, Steve Henley chief whip, call on Steve.
Next door is the lodging house of McLaughlin. It must be a good lodging house because many of the bon ton resort there. But let us leave that and hop along until we get to S. Moser’s store. Here you can find anything you desire in the way of provisions, etc., only can upon him and you will be attended to. Next is the sandy complexioned and sandy haired Eli George who keeps the Occidental. If the weather holds good his icicle will prove valuable, and hold out through next summer. I advise all to come and try his ice water. Now we cross the street, and A. D. Walsh meets us with his smiling face, having just returned from San Francisco. He says that his hotel is the best in Cornucopia, if not, he is going to make it the best. Then we step along and next come to M. T. Henry’s saloon, a fine building, closed now, but will open early in the spring.
Next is the shoemaker shop of Chris Stiffins, who has been making boots and shoes here for the last three years. Then next we come to the butcher shop of Powers, and, Mr. Editor, when you think you can get any better beef than at this shop you are fooled, try it and you can judge. “I takes a walk, and I don’t want any job put up on me.” Carl York and wife next loom up before our vision at the Crystal Peak brewery saloon. Who on the Pacific coast has not heard of Carl York, the chief of musicians? His horn (cornet) sounds and calls us every morning to breakfast. Well, now you have got to the foot of the street on the south side; so we will cross over to the north side, and the first place we strike of note is the livery stable and hay yard of Ringgold, a good location, and Ringgold, one of the best of boys, says be can keep all stock with hay and barley, and not only that, but keep his family warm with sagebrush.
Then we come to the room, known as the Homestead, must not say much about it. Then comes the room of your humble servant. Next the tailor shop. Next the bakery of George Shermer, Pioneer, where you can get the best of bread, pies, cakes, etc. Walk up then to the old Cochran Restaurant, now kept by Wm. May, look upon him, his restaurant, and table, and you would just drop four bits for a good square meal. Pass on, and Woodruff, a variety store meets us, everything in the provision line is displayed here. But as we are not hungry, next we will go to Judge Bassitt’s [Bassett] office, “mine got! mine got!” [Mein Gott!] who can tell me what the judgment of the Court or the verdict of the jury is going to be.”
Above the Justice’s office is The Palace. Lew and Sam Blonger keep up their reputation, and why, because they are patrons of the State. Do you want a cigar, call on Jakey, for he says he has the best cigars and tobacco. Are you dry, if so, next door step into Billy Illig’s [Ellege’s], and he will try and accommodate you. Still dry or in want of a smoke call at the Fashion, Madden is there, and will attend to your wants. Perhaps you want a good suit of clothes, or a supply of provisions, call upon M. K. Truett, successor to A. D. Meacham; or if you want your letters and papers call upon A. D. Meacham, Postmaster, and he will attend to you in a gentlemanly manner. Then less [sic] go to the old stand of L. I. Hogle, and “get what you want, boys,” Geff says so, and Mix countersigns it. Two years ago L. I. could not see the State Treasurership vs. Schooling, but he thinks he sees the prospective wealth of Cornucopia.
I am now done in relating our present status. Perhaps I might say more, but I desist for fear I may offend the Post man at Elko.
Our mines look better to-day than they ever did.
PRICE CURRENT. Flour, $8 per hundred; barley, 6 cents per pound; butter, 75 cents per pound; hay, 4 cents per pound; eggs, 75 cents per dozen; wood, $20 per cord; board, per week, $8; meals, single, 50 cents.—S. M. H.
Originally published in the Silver State on February 25, 1876. (link)